1129–1495 In 1129,
Roger de Clinton was appointed
Bishop of Lichfield. He built a new cathedral fortified the Cathedral Close and laid out a new town. Finally he constructed a defensive ditch and walls around the city. There were four gates or 'barrs' allowing movement in and out of the city walls, which were closed at 8 or 9 at night and reopened at 7 in the morning. This created a problem for pilgrims and travellers to the city who arrived after the gates had closed for the night. At this time Lichfield was a popular place for pilgrims as the new cathedral housed a shrine with the remains of St Chad. To provide shelter for these many pilgrims and travellers outside the city walls, Bishop de Clinton ordered the building of a priory just outside the southern gate where the road from London entered the city. The priory was completed in 1135 and the Bishop installed
Augustinian Canons with solemn vows to provide food and shelter for the travellers. This priory brought into being 'The Hospital of St John Baptist without the Barrs’ (hospital referred to a place of hospitality and not to health care). The stone tablet above the doorway also dates from 1720. It was in the 1960s when married couples were allowed to take residence in the hospital. In 1984 the
stained glass in the east window of the chapel was replaced by a magnificent interpretation of '
Christ enthroned in Majesty' designed by
John Piper and manufactured by
Patrick Reyntiens.
21st century In 2001 the original 1495 east wing was extended with external staircases attached to the quadrangle side. The accommodation was also renovated to modern 21st century standards. A sculpture of ‘Noah and the Dove’ designed by Simon Manby was commissioned by the trustees in 2006 and stands in the quadrangle. ==St John's within The Close==